Computational systems and methods for locating a mobile device

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are described relating to detecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to at least one mobile device; and presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of the person within the specified proximity. Additionally, systems and methods are described relating to means for detecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to at least one mobile device; and means for presenting an indication of location of the at least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication of the person within the specified proximity.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of theearliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listedapplication(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliestavailable priority dates for other than provisional patent applicationsor claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patentapplications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent,etc. applications of the Related Application(s)).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/336,979, entitled COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE, naming Paramvir Bahl, Doug Burger,Ranveer Chandra, Matthew G. Dyor, William Gates, Pablos Holman, RoderickA. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T.Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P.Myhrvold, Timothy Paek, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Desney S. Tan, Clarence T.Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLin Zhong, as inventors, filed 23 Dec. 2011, which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/337,085, entitled COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE, naming Paramvir Bahl, Doug Burger,Ranveer Chandra, Matthew G. Dyor, William Gates, Pablos Holman, RoderickA. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T.Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P.Myhrvold, Timothy Paek, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Desney S. Tan, Clarence T.Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLin Zhong, as inventors, filed 24 Dec. 2011 which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/340,512, entitled COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE, naming Paramvir Bahl, Doug Burger,Ranveer Chandra, Matthew G. Dyor, William Gates, Pablos Holman, RoderickA. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T.Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P.Myhrvold, Timothy Paek, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Desney S. Tan, Clarence T.Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLin Zhong, as inventors, filed 29 Dec. 2011 which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/340,525, entitled COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE, naming Paramvir Bahl, Doug Burger,Ranveer Chandra, Matthew G. Dyor, William Gates, Pablos Holman, RoderickA. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T.Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P.Myhrvold, Timothy Paek, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Desney S. Tan, Clarence T.Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLin Zhong, as inventors, filed 29 Dec. 2011 which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/340,531, entitled COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE, naming Paramvir Bahl, Doug Burger,Ranveer Chandra, Matthew G. Dyor, William Gates, Pablos Holman, RoderickA. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T.Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P.Myhrvold, Timothy Paek, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Desney S. Tan, Clarence T.Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLin Zhong, as inventors, filed 29 Dec. 2011 which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the presentapplication constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/340,540, entitled COMPUTATIONAL SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR LOCATING A MOBILE DEVICE, naming Paramvir Bahl, Doug Burger,Ranveer Chandra, Matthew G. Dyor, William Gates, Pablos Holman, RoderickA. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Royce A. Levien, Richard T.Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, Craig J. Mundie, Nathan P.Myhrvold, Timothy Paek, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Desney S. Tan, Clarence T.Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood, andLin Zhong, as inventors, filed 29 Dec. 2011 which is currentlyco-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pendingapplication is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to theeffect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicantsreference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is acontinuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit ofPrior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, availableat http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm.The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has providedabove a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority isbeing claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that thestatute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does notrequire either a serial number or any characterization, such as“continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S.patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicantunderstands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entryrequirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present applicationas a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above,but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construedin any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether ornot the present application contains any new matter in addition to thematter of its parent application(s).

All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and allparent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the RelatedApplications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent suchsubject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This description relates to identifying the location of a mobile device.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to detecting anindication of a person within a specified proximity to at least onemobile device; and presenting an indication of location of the at leastone mobile device at least partially based on the indication of theperson within the specified proximity. In addition to the foregoing,other apparatus aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and textforming a part of the present disclosure.

In one or more various aspects, related systems include but are notlimited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the hereinreferenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can bevirtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmwareconfigured to effect the herein referenced method aspects depending uponthe design choices of the system designer.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to means fordetecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to atleast one mobile device; and means for presenting an indication oflocation of the at least one mobile device at least partially based onthe indication of the person within the specified proximity. In additionto the foregoing, other apparatus aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to circuitry fordetecting an indication of a person within a specified proximity to atleast one mobile device; and circuitry for presenting an indication oflocation of the at least one mobile device at least partially based onthe indication of the person within the specified proximity. In additionto the foregoing, other apparatus aspects are described in the claims,drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a computer program product includes but is not limited toa signal-bearing medium bearing one or more instructions for detectingan indication of a person within a specified proximity to at least onemobile device; and one or more instructions for presenting an indicationof location of the at least one mobile device at least partially basedon the indication of the person within the specified proximity. Inaddition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in theclaims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In one aspect, a system includes but is not limited to a computingdevice and instructions that when executed on the computing device causethe computing device to detect an indication of a person within aspecified proximity to at least one mobile device; and present anindication of location of the at least one mobile device at leastpartially based on the indication of a person within the specifiedproximity. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects aredescribed in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of thepresent disclosure.

The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications,generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/orother subject matter described herein will become apparent in theteachings set forth herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a mobile device location system inwhich embodiments may be implemented, perhaps in a device and/or througha network, which may serve as a context for introducing one or moreprocesses and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of an operational flow representingexample operations related to mobile device location, which may serve asa context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices describedherein.

FIG. 6 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 15 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 5.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial view of an example article of manufactureincluding a computer program product that includes a computer programfor executing a computer process on a computing device related to mobiledevice location, which may serve as a context for introducing one ormore processes and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example device in which embodiments may beimplemented related to mobile device location, which may serve as acontext for introducing one or more processes and/or devices describedherein.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a mobile device location system inwhich embodiments may be implemented, perhaps in a device and/or througha network, which may serve as a context for introducing one or moreprocesses and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of an operational flow representingexample operations related to mobile device location, which may serve asa context for introducing one or more processes and/or devices describedherein.

FIG. 22 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 27 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 28 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 29 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 30 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 31 illustrates certain alternative embodiments of the mobile devicelocation system of FIG. 21.

FIG. 32 illustrates a partial view of an example article of manufactureincluding a computer program product that includes a computer programfor executing a computer process on a computing device related to mobiledevice location, which may serve as a context for introducing one ormore processes and/or devices described herein.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example device in which embodiments may beimplemented related to mobile device location, which may serve as acontext for introducing one or more processes and/or devices describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 100 includes a device 102. The device 102 maycontain, for example, accepter module 110, presenter module 120, and/ordigital signal processor 130. User 199 may interact directly or througha user interface with device 102. Additionally, device 102 maycommunicate with third party 190.

FIG. 2 further illustrates an example system 100 in which embodimentsmay be implemented. The system 100 includes a device 102. The device 102may contain, for example, sensor 104, accepter module 110, presentermodule 120, digital signal processor 130, timer 160, sound unit 170,vibration unit 180, and visible signal presentation unit 190. Further,digital signal processor 130 may include, for example, speech signal 132and/or voice user interface 134. The device 102 may communicate over anetwork or directly with remote accepter module 140 and/or remotepresenter unit 150. User 199 may interact directly or through a userinterface with device 102. Device 102 may communicate with third party190, which may include phone locator service 192, phone service provider194, and/or mobile device 196, and/or wireless communication link 198.

In FIG. 2, the device 102 is illustrated as possibly being includedwithin a system 100. Of course, virtually any kind of computing devicemay be used to implement the sensor 104, accepter module 110, and/orpresenter module 120, such as, for example, a programmed workstation, aprogrammed desktop computer, a programmed networked computer, aprogrammed server, a collection of programmed servers and/or databases,a programmed virtual machine running inside a computing device, aprogrammed mobile computing device, or a programmed tablet PC.

Additionally, not all of the sensor 104, accepter module 110, and/orpresenter module 120 need be implemented on a single computing device.For example, the sensor 104, accepter module 110, and/or presentermodule 120 may be implemented and/or operable on a remote computer,while a user interface and/or local instance of the sensor 104, acceptermodule 110, and/or presenter module 120 are implemented and/or occur ona local computer. Further, aspects of the sensor 104, accepter module110, and/or presenter module 120 may be implemented in differentcombinations and implementations than that shown in FIG. 1. For example,functionality of a user interface may be incorporated into the sensor104, accepter module 110, and/or presenter module 120. The sensor 104,accepter module 110, and/or presenter module 120 may perform simple datarelay functions and/or complex data analysis, including, for example,fuzzy logic and/or traditional logic steps. Further, many methods ofsearching health care and/or service provider databases known in the artmay be used, including, for example, unsupervised pattern discoverymethods, coincidence detection methods, and/or entity relationshipmodeling. In some embodiments, the sensor 104, accepter module 110,and/or presenter module 120 may process user input data according tohealth care options and/or service provider information available asupdates through a network.

Accepter module 110 and/or presenter module 120 may access data storedin virtually any type of memory that is able to store and/or provideaccess to information in, for example, a one-to-many, many-to-one,and/or many-to-many relationship. Such a memory may include, forexample, a relational database and/or an object-oriented database,examples of which are provided in more detail herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates device 102, which may further include accepter module110 and presenter module 120. Accepter module 110 may include soundquery accepter module 302, text accepter module 308, computer acceptermodule 310, elapsed time accepter module 312, application terminatormodule 314, device accepter module 320, utilizer module 322, timeinterval accepter module 330, and/or location query accepter module 336.Sound query accepter module 302 may include voice query accepter module304 and/or artificial query accepter module 306. Application terminatormodule 314 may include program terminator module 316 and/or linkterminator module 318. Utilizer module 322 may include hibernation modeaccepter module 324, partial hibernation mode accepter module 326,and/or detector module 328. Time interval accepter module 330 mayinclude sound interval accepter module 332 and/or voice intervalaccepter module 334. Location query accepter module 336 may includespeech recognition accepter module 338, voice recognition acceptermodule 340, and/or voice user interface 342.

FIG. 4 illustrates device 102, which may further include accepter module110 and/or presenter module 120. Presenter module 120 may include soundpresenter module 402, vibration presenter module 408, visible signalpresenter module 410, third party presenter module 414, and/or remotepresenter module 418. Sound presenter module 402 may includecomputer-created presenter module 404. Computer-created presenter module404 may include voice presenter module 406. Visible signal presentermodule 410 may include light presenter module 412. Third party presentermodule 414 may include service presenter module 416.

Many examples of databases and database structures may be used inconnection with the accepter module 110 and/or presenter module 120.Such examples include hierarchical models (in which data is organized ina tree and/or parent-child node structure), network models (based on settheory, and in which multi-parent structures per child node aresupported), or object/relational models (combining the relational modelwith the object-oriented model).

Still other examples include various types of eXtensible Mark-upLanguage (XML) databases. For example, a database may be included thatholds data in some format other than XML, but that is associated with anXML interface for accessing the database using XML. As another example,a database may store XML data directly. Additionally, or alternatively,virtually any semi-structured database may be used, so that context maybe provided to/associated with stored data elements (either encoded withthe data elements, or encoded externally to the data elements), so thatdata storage and/or access may be facilitated.

Such databases, and/or other memory storage techniques, may be writtenand/or implemented using various programming or coding languages. Forexample, object-oriented database management systems may be written inprogramming languages such as, for example, C++ or Java. Relationaland/or object/relational models may make use of database languages, suchas, for example, the structured query language (SQL), which may be used,for example, for interactive queries for information and/or forgathering and/or compiling data from the relational database(s). Forexample, SQL or SQL-like operations over one or more reference healthattribute and/or reference service provider may be performed, or Booleanoperations using a reference health attribute and/or reference serviceprovider may be performed.

Following are a series of flowcharts depicting implementations. For easeof understanding, the flowcharts are organized such that the initialflowcharts present implementations via an example implementation andthereafter the following flowcharts present alternate implementationsand/or expansions of the initial flowchart(s) as either sub-componentoperations or additional component operations building on one or moreearlier-presented flowcharts. Those having skill in the art willappreciate that the style of presentation used herein (e.g., beginningwith a presentation of a flowchart presenting an example implementationand thereafter providing additions to and/or further details insubsequent flowcharts) generally allows for a rapid and easyunderstanding of the various process implementations. In addition, thoseskilled in the art will further appreciate that the style ofpresentation used herein also lends itself well to modular and/orobject-oriented program design paradigms.

FIG. 5 illustrates an operational flow 500 representing exampleoperations related to accepting a mobile device location query usingdigital signal processing and presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device at least partially based on receiving the locationquery. In FIG. 5 and in following figures that include various examplesof operational flows, discussion and explanation may be provided withrespect to the above-described examples of FIGS. 1 through 4, and/orwith respect to other examples and contexts. However, it should beunderstood that the operational flows may be executed in a number ofother environments and contexts, and/or in modified versions of FIGS. 1through 4. Also, although the various operational flows are presented inthe sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the variousoperations may be performed in other orders than those which areillustrated, or may be performed concurrently.

After a start operation, the operational flow 500 moves to an operation510. Operation 510 depicts accepting a mobile device location queryusing digital signal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the accepter module 110 can accept a mobile device locationquery using digital signal processing. In an embodiment, accepter module110 can accept a mobile device location query in the form of anindividual speaking the words, “Phone, where are you?” using digitalsignal processing. Some examples of a location query may includehuman-made sounds, such as a voice or a hand clap, or computer createdsounds, such as dual-tone multi-frequency signaling (DTMF) and the useof a DTMF keypad to create a specific sequence of sound frequencies, forexample. In an embodiment, accepter module 110 may accept a mobiledevice location query in the form of a series of four signal tonescreated using dual-tone multi-frequency signaling. In this embodiment,accepter module 110 may include a analog-to-digital converter.Additionally, the mobile device may include a device and/or programmingto conserve battery power after detecting inactivity after apredetermined period of time.

Digital signal processing may include the representation of discretetime signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and the processing ofthese signals. Some examples of digital signal processing may includeaudio or speech signal processing, sonar and radar signal processing,sensor array processing, spectral estimation, statistical signalprocessing, digital image processing, signal processing forcommunications, control of systems, and/or biomedical signal processing.Digital signal processing may include converting the signal(s) from ananalog to a digital form, by sampling and then digitizing it using ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC), which turns the analog signal into astream of numbers. Sometimes, the required output signal is anotheranalog output signal, which requires a digital-to-analog converter(DAC). device 100 and/or accepter module 110 may include ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC) and/or a digital-to-analog converter(DAC). In some instances, accepter module 110 may include a computerprocessor programmed to accept a mobile device location query usingdigital signal processing, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), ananalog-to-digital converter (ADC), and/or a microphone.

Then, operation 520 depicts presenting an indication of location of themobile device at least partially based on receiving the location query.For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the presenter module 120 canpresent an indication of location of the mobile device at leastpartially based on receiving the location query. In an embodiment,presenter module 120 may present an indication of location of the mobiledevice location in the form of sending GPS coordinates to a secondmobile device at least partially based on accepting a location query inthe form of a text message to the first mobile device. Some examples ofpresenting an indication of location may include making a sound or aseries of sounds, activating a light, and/or transmitting information,such as GPS coordinates. Other examples of presenting an indication oflocation may include transmitting a signal to another mobile deviceand/or presenting an indication of location to a printer coupled to acomputer in a central location, such as the mobile device owner's homeoffice.

FIG. 6 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 602, an operation 604, and/or anoperation 606.

The operation 602 illustrates accepting a sound query using digitalsignal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the soundquery accepter module 302 can accept a sound query using digital signalprocessing. In an embodiment, sound query accepter module 302 may accepta sound query in the form of an audible digitally-created signal. Someexamples of a sound query may include a voice, such as a word or aphrase, or sound played from a recording, such as a compact diskrecording, for example. Another example of accepting a sound query mayinclude audio signal processing, an example of which may be found inU.S. Pat. No. 8,027,477, which is incorporated herein by reference. Insome instances, sound query accepter module 302 may include a computerprocessor programmed to accept a sound query.

Further, the operation 604 illustrates accepting a voice query usingdigital signal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,the voice query accepter module 304 can accept a voice query usingdigital signal processing. In an embodiment, voice query accepter module304 may accept the voice query, “Phone, state your location.” Someexamples of a voice query may include a word or a series of words.Additionally, a voice query may include a recorded voice, such as acompact disk recording. In an embodiment, voice query accepter module304 may accept a voice query in the form of a recorded voice from acompact disk with a voice that speaks the word “locate” in a frequencyspecifically recognizable by the voice query accepter module 304.Accepting a voice query using digital signal processing may includespeech signal processing, such as speech recognition. Speechrecognition, or voice recognition, converts a spoken word to a digitalsignal, such as text. In some instances, voice recognition may include arecognition system that is trained to recognize the voice of aparticular speaker. An example of voice and speech recognition may befound in U.S. Pat. No. 8,056,070, which is incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, voice query accepter module 304 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 606 illustrates accepting an artificially-createdsound query using digital signal processing. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the artificial query accepter module 306 can acceptan artificially created query using digital signal processing. In anembodiment, the artificial query accepter module 306 may accept a seriesof computer-created sounds in a high frequency sound range that a humanmay not be able to detect. In this embodiment, the high frequency soundrange may be only detectable by the mobile device. Other usable soundranges may be used, for example ultrasonic, very high, or very low soundfrequency ranges. An example of using a very high audio frequency rangemay be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,703, which is incorporated herein byreference. Further, the artificially-created sound query may be recordedand/or stored on mechanical, optical, or magnetic media for repeated ordelayed transmission to the mobile device. In some instances, artificialquery accepter module 306 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 7 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 702, an operation 704, and/or anoperation 706.

The operation 702 illustrates accepting a text message that causes themobile device to indicate a location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the text accepter module 308 can accept a text message thatcauses the mobile device to indicate a location. In an embodiment, textaccepter module 308 may accept a text message from a smart phone. Forexample, the text message may be a specified word or phrase, such as“LOCATION” which may be a predetermined command for the mobile device tosend an indication of location, for example, GPS coordinates. A textmessage may include a message utilizing the Short Message Service (SMS).One example of using the Short Message Service (SMS) may be found inU.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0248821, which is incorporated hereinby reference. In some instances, text accepter module 308 may include acomputer processor.

The operation 704 illustrates accepting a device-generated signal thatcauses the mobile device to indicate a location. For example, as shownin FIGS. 1 through 4, the computer accepter module 310 can accept adevice-generated signal that causes the mobile device to indicate alocation. In one embodiment, computer accepter module 310 may accept aninfrared signal from a Wii remote. The infrared signal from the Wiiremote may be accepted by and/or detected by the mobile device causingthe mobile device to indicate a location, for example override a silentmode and choose a ring tone to be presented. In an additionalembodiment, computer accepter module 310 may accept a query from auniversal remote control using infrared technology. The universal remotecontrol may include a universal remote control that an individualregularly uses for changing channels and controlling a television, suchas the universal remote control disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,587,067,which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, computeraccepter module 310 may include a computer processor.

The operation 706 illustrates accepting an indication of a predeterminedelapsed time that causes the mobile device to indicate a location. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the elapsed time accepter module312 can accept an indication of a predetermined elapsed time that causesthe mobile device to indicate a location. In an embodiment, elapsed timeaccepter module 312 may accept an indication of a twenty-four hour timeperiod that has passed without any activity, such as a phone call, adata message, or an SMS message, for example from a smartphone. In anadditional embodiment, elapsed time accepter module 312 may accept anindication of a three day period that a computer tablet has not beenmoved. For example, the computer tablet may include an accelerometer fordetecting movement, inactivity or non-movement, which may indicate to anelapsed time accepter module 312. In some instances, elapsed timeaccepter module 312 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 8 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 8 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 802, an operation 804, an operation806, and/or an operation 808.

The operation 802 illustrates terminating at least one application aftera predetermined time has passed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the application terminator module 314 can terminate at leastone application after a predetermined time has passed. In an embodiment,application terminator module 314 may terminate a browser applicationafter a twenty four hour time period has passed. Terminating at leastone application may serve to preserve battery and processing power inthe case of an extended period of time that the mobile device may belost or missing. Some examples of applications that may be closedinclude any non-essential applications (e.g., a browsing application, agame, a texting application, a mapping application, and/or a calendarapplication). In some instances, application terminator module 314 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 804 illustrates terminating at least one of atexting program, an email program, or an internet browser. For example,as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the program terminator module 316 canterminate at least one of a texting program, an email program, or aninternet browser. In an embodiment, program terminator module 316 mayterminate an email program. In this embodiment, this may serve to reducecomputer processing time and in turn reduce battery consumption. Thismay be advantageous to prolong battery life in the event of a lostmobile device. In some instances, program terminator module 316 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 806 illustrates terminating a wirelesscommunication link. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the linkterminator module 318 can terminate a wireless communication link. In anembodiment, link terminator module 318 may terminate a link between amobile device and a wireless router. This may serve to further preservebattery power. Some examples of a wireless communications link mayinclude a wireless personal area network (WPAN), a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN), or a mobile device network, for example a base stationsystem in a cell network or a Personal Communications Service (PCS). Insome instances, a link terminator module 318 may include a computerprocessor.

The operation 808 illustrates accepting a location query for at leastone of a cell phone, a smartphone, a portable media player, or a tabletcomputer. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the deviceaccepter module 320 can accept a query for at least one of a cell phone,a mobile phone, a portable media player, or a tablet computer. In anembodiment, device accepter module 320 may accept a location query for acell phone. A cell phone may include a device which can make and receivetelephone calls over a radio link while moving around a wide geographicarea by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile networkprovider. A smartphone may include a mobile phone and/or a cell phonethat can support a variety of applications and services including textmessaging, E-mail programs, multimedia messaging service, Internetbrowsing, infrared or Bluetooth communications, gaming, photography,and/or business applications. A portable media player may include aconsumer electronics device capable of storing and playing digital mediasuch as audio, images, video, documents, etc. A portable media playermay include a hard drive, a microdrive, and/or flash memory. Someexamples of a portable media player may include an Apple iPod, a DiamondRio from Diamond Multimedia, or a Microsoft Zune. A tablet computer mayinclude a mobile computer integrated onto a flat screen and operatedprimarily by touching the screen. Some examples of a tablet computer mayinclude an Apple iPad or a Microsoft Tablet PC. In some instances,device accepter module 320 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 9 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 9 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 902, an operation 904, an operation906, and/or an operation 908.

The operation 902 illustrates utilizing low power digital signalprocessing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the utilizermodule 322 can utilize low power digital signal processing. In anembodiment, utilizer module 322 may utilize digital signal processingdesigned to use reduced battery power. In this embodiment, using reducedbattery power may serve to prolong the amount of time that a misplacedmobile device may be capable of receiving or transmitting a locationsignal. Another example of utilizing low power digital signal processingmay include the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,761, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, utilizer module 322may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 904 illustrates accepting an indication to entera hibernation mode. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thehibernation mode accepter module 324 can accept an indication to enter ahibernation mode. In an embodiment, hibernation mode accepter module 324may accept an indication to enter a misplaced mobile phone into ahibernation mode. For example, the misplaced mobile device may includean accelerometer that may indicate that the mobile device has not beenmoved within the past twenty four hours. A signal may be sent from theaccelerometer to hibernation mode accepter module 324, which mayinitiate a hibernation mode in the mobile device. Hibernation mode mayinclude powering down at least a portion of a computing system whileretaining at least part of its computing state. Hibernation may serve toconserve electrical power, for example in the battery of the mobiledevice. In another embodiment, hibernation mode accepter module 324 mayaccept and indication to enter hibernation mode upon the activation of alow-battery alarm. One example of using a low-battery alarm may be foundin U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0117949, which is incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, hibernation mode accepter module 324 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 906 illustrates accepting an indication to entera partial hibernation mode. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4,the partial hibernation mode accepter module 326 can accept anindication to enter a partial hibernation mode. In an embodiment,partial hibernation mode accepter module 326 may accept an indication toenter a mobile device into a partial hibernation mode. A partialhibernation mode may be similar to a hibernation mode, discussed above,but may include more running applications and/or services. In someinstances, partial hibernation mode accepter module 326 may include acomputer processor.

Further, the operation 908 illustrates detecting a low-power status ofthe battery. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the detectormodule 328 can detect a low-power status of the battery. In anembodiment, detector module 328 may detect a low-power status of atablet computer battery. For example, a low-power detecting device maybe implemented that can calculate the time until a battery is completelydischarged or may need to be replaced and/or recharged. An example of asimilar device may be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0018306,which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, detectormodule 328 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 10 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 10 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1002, an operation 1004, and/or anoperation 1006.

The operation 1002 illustrates accepting a query at a predeterminedperiodic time interval. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thetime interval accepter module 330 can accept a query at a predeterminedperiodic time interval. In an embodiment, time interval accepter module330 may be programmed to accept a query regarding location at a specifictime or at a specific time period. For example, at 10:00 P.M. everyevening the mobile device may turn on from a hibernation mode and may beready to receive a voice query. In this example, the mobile device maybe programmed to return to the hibernation mode to save on battery powerif a voice query is not detected within five minutes. This may serve tofunction as a method for locating a misplaced mobile device while savingbattery power and may increase the likelihood that the device may befound even an extended period of time after misplacement. In someinstances, time interval accepter module 330 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1004 illustrates accepting a sound query at apredetermined periodic time interval. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the sound interval accepter module 332 can accept a soundquery at a predetermined periodic time interval. In an embodiment, soundinterval accepter module 332 may accept a recording of acomputer-created series of tones that are recognizable by a specificmobile device every hour. Some examples of a sound query may include acomputer-created sound, a sound played from a recordable medium, such asa compact disk, or a human voice. In some instances, sound intervalaccepter module 332 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1006 illustrates accepting a voice query at apredetermined periodic time interval. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the voice interval accepter module 334 can accept a voicequery at a predetermined periodic time interval. In an embodiment, voiceinterval accepter module 334 may accept a sound query in the form of avoice command, for example “phone indicate location” every hour in thehour. The mobile device may be in hibernation mode or in an otherwisepower saving mode in order to conserve battery power. In some instances,voice interval accepter module 334 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 11 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 11 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 510 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1102, an operation 1104, anoperation 1106, and/or an operation 1108.

The operation 1102 illustrates accepting a mobile device location queryusing speech signal processing. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through4, the location query accepter module 336 can accept a mobile devicelocation query using speech signal processing. In an embodiment,location query accepter module 336 may accept a smartphone locationquery using speech signal processing. Speech signal processing mayinclude speech recognition and/or speech compression. In some instances,location query accepter module 336 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1104 illustrates accepting a mobile devicelocation query using speech recognition. For example, as shown in FIGS.1 through 4, the speech recognition accepter module 338 can accept amobile device location query using speech recognition. In an embodiment,speech recognition accepter module 338 may accept a computer tabletlocation query using speech recognition. Speech recognition may includeconverting at least one spoken word to text. Some examples of speechrecognition may include voice recognition, which may include arecognition system that is trained to recognize a certain speaker.However, speech recognition generally refers to technology that canrecognize speech without being targeted to any one specific speaker, forexample a call system that can recognize an arbitrary voice. Otherexamples of speech recognition may include voice dialing (e.g., “Phone,where are you?”), call routing (e.g., “I would like to make a collectcall”), domotic appliance control, search (e.g., find a podcast whereparticular words were spoken), simple data entry (e.g., entering acredit card number), preparation of structured documents (e.g., aradiology report), speech-to-text processing (e.g., word processors oremails), and/or aircraft (usually termed Direct Voice Input). Anotherexample of speech recognition may include the example found in U.S. Pat.No. 5,903,864, which is incorporated herein by reference. In someinstances, speech recognition accepter module 338 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1106 illustrates accepting a mobile devicelocation query using voice recognition. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the voice recognition accepter module 340 can accept a mobiledevice location query using voice recognition. In an embodiment, voicerecognition accepter module 340 may accept a smartphone location queryusing voice recognition. As discussed above, voice recognition mayinclude a recognition system that is trained to recognize a certainspeaker. An example of a voice recognition system may include theexample discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0166859, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, voice recognitionaccepter module 340 may include a computer processor,

Further, the operation 1108 illustrates accepting a mobile devicelocation query using a voice user interface. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the voice user interface 342 can accept a mobiledevice location query using a voice user interface. In an embodiment,voice user interface 342 may accept a mobile device location query usinga voice user interface used by a speech application on the mobiledevice. The mobile device may include a speech application where anindividual may speak a word or phrase, such as “phone, beep.” Then, thevoice user interface would take the spoken word or phrase and utilizethe speech application to compute the word or phrase. The mobile phonemay then be prompted to present and indication of location of the mobiledevice. A further example of a voice user interface may include thedistributed voice user interface discussed in U.S. Patent Publication2002/0072918, which is incorporated herein by reference. In someinstances, voice user interface 342 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 12 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 12 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1202, an operation 1204, and/or anoperation 1206.

The operation 1202 illustrates presenting a sound that indicateslocation of the mobile device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through4, the sound presenter module 402 can present a sound that indicateslocation of the mobile device. In an embodiment, sound presenter module402 may present a predetermined ringtone sound that indicates locationof the mobile device. Some examples of a sound that may indicatelocation of the mobile device may include a ringtone, an audible beep, ajingle, or other sounds or combinations of sound. An example of creatingand purchasing ringtones may be found in U.S. Patent Publication No.2008/0167968, which is incorporated herein by reference. In someinstances, sound presenter module 402 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1204 illustrates presenting a computer-createdsound that indicates location of the mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the computer-created sound presenter module404 can present a computer-created sound that indicates location of themobile device. In an embodiment, computer-created sound presenter module404 may present a computer-created song that indicates location of themobile device. This may serve to let an individual know where amisplaced mobile device may be, for example a cell phone that has beenlost behind a furniture cushion. Some examples of a computer-createdsound may include computer or electronic music, a ringtone, a beep, or arecorded message. An example of creating a computer-created customringtone may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,148. In some instances,computer-created sound presenter module 404 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 1206 illustrates presenting a computer-createdvoice that indicates location of the mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the voice presenter module 406 can present acomputer-created voice that indicates location of the mobile device. Inan embodiment, voice presenter module 406 may present a computer createdvoice that includes a voice repeatedly stating “alert.” This may serveto alert an individual of the location of the mobile device in the eventof misplacement. In one embodiment, a computer-created voice may beinteractive, such as the example found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,778,833, whichis incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, voice presentermodule 406 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 13 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 13 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1302, an operation 1304, anoperation 1306, an operation 1308, and/or an operation 1310.

The operation 1302 illustrates presenting an indication for the mobiledevice to vibrate. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thevibration presenter module 408 can present a trigger for the mobiledevice to vibrate. In an embodiment, vibration presenter module 408 maypresent an indication for the mobile device to trigger a vibratingalert. In this embodiment, a vibrating alert motor may be included inthe mobile device. the vibrating alert motor may include a smallelectric motor coupled to an eccentric, or unbalanced weight. Utilizinga vibration may generally serve to alert an individual in the case of anoisy environment or in the case of a hearing impaired user. Anadditional reason may include increased sound, such as when the mobiledevice with a vibrating alert motor is placed on a firm or hard surface.In this case, the vibration may often be as loud or louder than aregular sound or ringtone because of the vibration against the firm ofhard surface. An example of a mobile device including a vibrating alertmotor may include a cell phone with a vibrating alert motor, such as theexample described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0242287, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, vibration presentermodule 408 may include a computer processor.

The operation 1304 illustrates presenting a visible indication of themobile device location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, thevisible signal presenter module 410 can present a visible indication ofthe mobile device location. In an embodiment, visible signal presentermodule 410 may present an LED light to indicate the mobile devicelocation. Presenting a visible indication of the mobile device may serveto locate a misplaced mobile device and may be especially helpful, forexample, to an individual that may be hearing impaired. Some examples ofa visible indication may include a light, such as an LED or anincandescent bulb, a strobe light, a backlit display, or a lit screendisplay. In one embodiment, visible signal presenter module 410 maypresent a strobe light in order to indicate to an individual a misplacedtablet computer. In this embodiment, the strobe light may be includedwith the tablet computer, for example as part of a camera flash wherethe camera flash is utilized as the strobe light. Another example of alight mechanism for a cell phone may be found in U.S. Pat. No.6,341,871, which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances,visible signal presenter module 410 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1306 illustrates presenting at least a constantlight, a blinking light, or a strobe light that indicates the mobiledevice location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the lightpresenter module 412 can present at least a constant light, a blinkinglight, or a strobe light that indicates the mobile device location. Inan embodiment, light presenter module 412 may present a blinking lightthat may indicate a misplaced smartphone to an individual. Presenting ablinking light may serve to be more visible and more effectively alertan individual to the location of a mobile device. A constant light mayinclude an LED light source, an incandescent light source, or afluorescent light source, for example. A light that is constantlyilluminated may serve to be more visible to an individual in a darkenedsetting, such as a room without any other light or solely ambient light.A strobe light may include a stroboscopic light, or a light that may beused to produce regular flashes of light, for example ten to twelveflashes of light per second. In an embodiment, light presenter module412 may present a strobe light that discharges light in a continuousmode for five minute intervals. Another example of a mobile devicepresenting a strobe light may include a cell phone with a built inflash, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,428,016, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, light presentermodule 412 may include a computer processor.

The operation 1308 illustrates presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device to a third party. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the third party presenter module 414 can present anindication of location of the mobile device to a third party. In anembodiment, third party presenter module 414 may present an indicationof location of the mobile device to an off location computer. In thisembodiment, the mobile device may transmit an indication of location,such as a router web address or GPS coordinates, for example, to acomputer programmed to receive GPS coordinates and alert the mobiledevice owner as to the location. Some examples of a third party mayinclude an off location or remote computer, a mobile service provider,or a second mobile device. In some instances, third party presentermodule 414 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 1310 illustrates presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device to at least one of a phone locatingservice, a phone service provider, or another mobile device. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the service presenter module 416can present an indication of location of the mobile device to at leastone of a phone locating service, a phone service provider, or anothermobile device. In an embodiment, service presenter module 416 maypresent a set of GPS coordinates to a second mobile device. In thisembodiment, an individual that has misplaced a first mobile device, acell phone for example, may additionally possess a second mobile device,a computer tablet for example, that may be configured to accept anindication of location of the first mobile device, such as GPScoordinates. In a specific embodiment, an individual may misplace orlose a cell phone at a local store while shopping and upon arrivinghome, may realize the cell phone has been lost. In this example, theservice presenter module 416 may be configured to present a set oflocation coordinates to a tablet computer possessed by the individualwhere the individual can retrieve the lost cell phone according to thelocation coordinates. A phone locating service may include a servicethat uses computers, for example, configured to accept an indication ofa mobile device and further report location of the mobile device. Insome instances, the phone locating service may be for-profit and mayoffer a subscription service. A phone service provider may include aprovider of network service and may include data and/or voice plans to amobile device. Some examples of a phone service provider may includeSprint, AT&T, and Verizon as well as other similar providers. Someexamples of another mobile device may include a tablet computer, a cellphone, or a smartphone. In some instances, service presenter module 416may include a computer processor.

FIG. 14 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 14 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1402.

The operation 1402 illustrates presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device to a remote location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the remote presenter module 418 can present an indication oflocation of the mobile device to a remote location. In an embodiment,remote presenter module 418 may present an indication of location of themobile device, which is located in Phoenix, Ariz., to a computer in LosAngeles, Calif. The computer in Los Angeles may serve as an off-locationservice provider, for example. Additionally, presenting an indication oflocation of a mobile device to a remote location may serve as a backuplocation providing service. In some instances, remote presenter module418 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 15 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 500 of FIG. 5. FIG. 15 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 520 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 1502.

The operation 1502 illustrates accepting a voice query where anindividual communicates a single word as the mobile device locationquery and presenting an audible and repeated high-volume ringtone as theindication of location of the mobile device. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 through 4, the accepter module 110 and the presenter module 120can accept a voice query where an individual communicates a single wordas the mobile device location query and present an audible and repeatedhigh-volume ringtone as the indication of location of the mobile device.In an embodiment, accepter module 110 may accept a voice query where anindividual communicates a single word as the mobile device locationquery and presenter module 120 may present an audible and repeatedhigh-volume ringtone as the indication of location of the mobile device.In some instances, accepter module 110 may include a computer processor.In some instances, presenter module 120 may include a computerprocessor.

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial view of an example computer programproduct 1600 that includes a computer program 1604 for executing acomputer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the examplecomputer program product 1600 is provided using a signal-bearing medium1602, and may include one or more instructions for accepting a mobiledevice location query using digital signal processing and one or moreinstructions for presenting an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on receiving the location query. The oneor more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/orlogic-implemented instructions. In one implementation, thesignal-bearing medium 1602 may include a computer-readable medium 1606.In one implementation, the signal bearing medium 1602 may include arecordable medium 1608. In one implementation, the signal bearing medium1602 may include a communications medium 1610.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example system 1700 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 1700 includes a computing system environment.The system 1700 also illustrates the user 118 using a device 1704, whichis optionally shown as being in communication with a computing device1702 by way of an optional coupling 1706. The optional coupling 1706 mayrepresent a local, wide-area, or peer-to-peer network, or may representa bus that is internal to a computing device (e.g., in exampleembodiments in which the computing device 1702 is contained in whole orin part within the device 1704). A storage medium 1708 may be anycomputer storage media.

The computing device 1702 includes computer-executable instructions 1710that when executed on the computing device 1702 cause the computingdevice 1702 to accept a mobile device location query using digitalsignal processing and present an indication of location of the mobiledevice at least partially based on receiving the location query. Asreferenced above and as shown in FIG. 17, in some examples, thecomputing device 1702 may optionally be contained in whole or in partwithin the device 1704.

In FIG. 17, then, the system 1700 includes at least one computing device(e.g., 1702 and/or 1704). The computer-executable instructions 1710 maybe executed on one or more of the at least one computing device. Forexample, the computing device 1702 may implement the computer-executableinstructions 1710 and output a result to (and/or receive data from) thecomputing device 1704. Since the computing device 1702 may be wholly orpartially contained within the computing device 1704, the device 1704also may be said to execute some or all of the computer-executableinstructions 1710, in order to be caused to perform or implement, forexample, various ones of the techniques described herein, or othertechniques.

The device 1704 may include, for example, a portable computing device,workstation, or desktop computing device. In another example embodiment,the computing device 1702 is operable to communicate with the device1704 associated with the user 118 to receive information about the inputfrom the user 118 for performing data access and data processing andpresenting an output of the user-health test function at least partlybased on the user data.

Although a user 199 is shown/described herein as a single illustratedfigure, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a user 199 may berepresentative of a human user, a robotic user (e.g., computationalentity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., a user maybe assisted by one or more robotic agents). In addition, a user 199, asset forth herein, although shown as a single entity may in fact becomposed of two or more entities. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that, in general, the same may be said of “sender” and/orother entity-oriented terms as such terms are used herein.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example system 1800 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 1800 includes a device 102. The device 102 maycontain, for example, sensor 1804, detector module 1810, presentermodule 1820, timer 1860, sound unit 1870, vibration unit 1880,accelerometer 1835, GPS receiver 1865, and visible signal presentationunit 1890. The device 1802 may communicate over a network or directlywith remote detector module 1840 and/or remote presenter module 1850.User 199 may interact directly or through a user interface with device1802. Device 1802 may communicate with a third party 1890, which mayinclude phone locator service 1892, phone service provider 1894,security service 1897, mobile device 1896, and/or wireless communicationlink 1898.

In FIG. 18, the device 1802 is illustrated as possibly being includedwithin a system 1800. Of course, virtually any kind of computing devicemay be used to implement the sensor 1804, detector module 1810 and/orpresenter module 1820, such as, for example, a programmed workstation, aprogrammed desktop computer, a programmed networked computer, aprogrammed server, a collection of programmed servers and/or databases,a programmed virtual machine running inside a computing device, aprogrammed mobile computing device, or a programmed tablet PC.

Additionally, not all of the sensor 1804, detector module 1810 and/orpresenter module 1820 need be implemented on a single computing device.For example, the sensor 1804, detector module 1810 and/or presentermodule 1820 may be implemented and/or operable on a remote computer,while a user interface and/or local instance of the sensor 1804,detector module 1810 and/or presenter module 1820 are implemented and/oroccur on a local computer. Further, aspects of the sensor 1804, detectormodule 1810 and/or presenter module 1820 may be implemented in differentcombinations and implementations than that shown in FIG. 1. For example,functionality of a user interface may be incorporated into the sensor1804, detector module 1810 and/or presenter module 1820. The sensor1804, detector module 1810 and/or presenter module 1820 may performsimple data relay functions and/or complex data analysis, including, forexample, fuzzy logic and/or traditional logic steps. Further, manymethods of searching health care and/or service provider databases knownin the art may be used, including, for example, unsupervised patterndiscovery methods, coincidence detection methods, and/or entityrelationship modeling. In some embodiments, the sensor 1804, detectormodule 1810 and/or presenter module 1820 may process user input dataaccording to health care options and/or service provider informationavailable as updates through a network.

Detector module 1810 and/or presenter module 1820 may access data storedin virtually any type of memory that is able to store and/or provideaccess to information in, for example, a one-to-many, many-to-one,and/or many-to-many relationship. Such a memory may include, forexample, a relational database and/or an object-oriented database,examples of which are provided in more detail herein.

FIG. 19 illustrates device 1802, which may further include detectormodule 1810 and/or presenter module 1820. Detector module 1810 mayinclude electronic device detector module 1902, sensor detector module1908, motion detector module 1916, and/or vibration detector module1932. Electronic device detector module 1902 may include phone detectormodule 1904 and/or computer detector module 1906. Sensor detector module1908 may include electromagnetic sensor detector module 1910 and/oradjustable detector module 1914. Electromagnetic sensor detector module1910 may include infrared detector module 1912. Motion detector module1916 may include passive motion detector module 1918, active motiondetector module 1922, and/or multi-technology detector module 1930.Passive motion detector module 1918 may include passive sensor module1920. Active motion detector module 1922 may include ultrasonic detectormodule 1920, microwave detector module 1926, and/or acoustic detectormodule 1928. Vibration detector module 1932 may include seismic detectormodule 1934.

FIG. 20 illustrates device 1802, which may further include detectormodule 1810 and/or presenter module 1820. Detector module 1810 mayinclude inactivity determiner module 1936. Inactivity determiner module1936 may include passive sensor determiner module 1938, accelerometerdeterminer module 1940, GPS determiner module 1942, and/or seismicdeterminer module 1944. Presenter module 1820 may include second devicepresenter module 1946, transmitter module 1952, sound presenter module1954, vibration presenter module 1960, visible presenter module 1962,and/or remote presenter module 1966. Second device presenter module 1946may include mobile device presenter module 1948 and/or dedicated devicepresenter module 1950. Sound presenter module 1954 may includecomputer-created sound presenter module 1956. Computer-created soundpresenter module 1956 may include computer-created voice presentermodule 1958. Visible presenter module 1962 may include light presentermodule 1964.

FIG. 21 illustrates an operational flow 2100 representing exampleoperations related to detecting an indication of a person within aspecified proximity to at least one mobile device and presenting anindication of location of the at least one mobile device at leastpartially based on the indication of the person within the specifiedproximity. In FIG. 21 and in following figures that include variousexamples of operational flows, discussion and explanation may beprovided with respect to the above-described examples of FIGS. 18through 20, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. However,it should be understood that the operational flows may be executed in anumber of other environments and contexts, and/or in modified versionsof FIGS. 18 through 20. Also, although the various operational flows arepresented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood thatthe various operations may be performed in other orders than those whichare illustrated, or may be performed concurrently.

After a start operation, the operational flow 2100 moves to an operation2110. Operation 2110 depicts detecting an indication of a person withina specified proximity to at least one mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the detector module 1810 can detect anindication of a person within a specified proximity to at least onemobile device. In an embodiment, detector module 1810 may the presenceof a person within ten feet of a tablet computer. Detecting anindication of a person may utilize different methods and technologies,for example motion detection (e.g., a passive infrared detector), heatdetection (e.g., an infrared camera), and/or vibration detection (e.g.,seismic detection). A specified proximity may include a preset value anindividual may program into a detection device, which may be coupledwith the at least one mobile device. Additionally, a specified proximitymay be specified to be within an effective range, depending on theeffectiveness of the proximity detection device. Some examples of amobile device may include a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer,a personal digital assistant (PDA), an mp3 player, an enterprise digitalassistants, as well as other small and/or hand-held computing devices.In some instances, detector module 1810 may include a computerprocessor.

Then, operation 2120 depicts presenting an indication of location of theat least one mobile device at least partially based on the indication ofthe person within the specified proximity. For example, as shown inFIGS. 18 through 20, the presenter module 1820 can present an indicationof location of the at least one mobile device at least partially basedon the indication of a person within the specified proximity. In anembodiment, presenter module 1820 may present an indication of locationof a smartphone location in the form of sending predicted GPScoordinates to a website and presenting an audible beep at leastpartially based on the indication of a person within the specifiedproximity. An individual may then determine from the GPS coordinatessent to the website a location of, for example, the misplacedsmartphone. Some additional examples of presenting a location of amobile device may include transmitting other information, such as alocation on a map or GPS coordinates. Other examples of presenting anindication of location may include transmitting a signal to anothermobile device and/or presenting an indication of location to a printercoupled to a computer in a central location, such as the mobile deviceowner's home office. In some instances, presenter module 1830 mayinclude a computer processor.

FIG. 22 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 22 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2110 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2202, an operation 2204, and/or anoperation 2206.

The operation 2202 illustrates detecting an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile electronicdevice. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the electronicdevice detector module 1902 can detect an indication of a person withina specified proximity to the at least one mobile electronic device. Inan embodiment, electronic device detector module 1902 may detect aperson within twenty feet (e.g., within a bedroom) of a tablet computer.Some examples of a mobile electronic device may include a cell phone, asmartphone, an enterprise digital assistant, and/or a tablet computer.Another example of an electronic mobile device may include the examplefound in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0049743, which is incorporatedherein by reference. In some instances, electronic device detectormodule 1902 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2204 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to at least one of a cell phone or asmart phone. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the phonedetector module 1904 can detect an indication of a person within aspecified proximity to at least one of a cell phone or a smart phone. Inan embodiment, phone detector module 1904 may detect an indication of aperson within a five foot radius of a smartphone. This may serve toalert an individual, such as the person within the specified proximity(e.g., the five foot radius) of the location of the smartphone or othermobile device. A cell phone may include a device that may make and/orreceive telephone calls over a radio link while moving about a widegeographic area. A smart phone may include a high-end mobile phone builton a mobile computing platform with advanced computing capability andconnectivity that a contemporary feature phone. In some instances, phonedetector module 1904 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2206 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to at least one of a portable mediaplayer or a tablet computer. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through20, the computer detector module 1906 can detect an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to at least one of a portable mediaplayer or a tablet computer. In an embodiment, computer detector module1906 may detect a person within a ten foot radius of a tablet computer.A tablet computer may include a mobile computer integrated into a flattouch screen and primarily operated by touching the screen and oftenuses an onscreen virtual keyboard. The term may also apply to a varietyof form factors that differ in position of the screen with respect to akeyboard. The standard form is called slate, which does not have anintegrated keyboard but may be connected to one with a wireless link ora USB port. Convertible notebook computers have an integrated keyboardthat can be hidden by a swivel joint or slide joint, exposing only thescreen for touch operation. Hybrids have a detachable keyboard so thatthe touch screen can be used as a stand-alone tablet. Booklets includetwo touch screens, and can be used as a notebook by displaying a virtualkeyboard in one of them. A portable media player may include a consumerelectronics device that may be capable of storing and playing digitalmedia such as audio, images, video, documents, etc. The data may betypically stored on a hard drive, microdrive, or flash memory.Additionally, other types of electronic devices like cellphones,internet tablets, and digital cameras may be sometimes referred asportable media players because of their playback capabilities. In someinstances, computer detector module 1906 may include a computerprocessor.

FIG. 23 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 23 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2110 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2302, an operation 2304, anoperation 2306, and/or an operation 2308.

The operation 2302 illustrates detecting an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with aproximity sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, thesensor detector module 1908 can detect a person's presence within atwenty foot radius of a smartphone with a proximity sensor. A proximitysensor may include a sensor able to detect the presence of nearbyobjects without any physical contact. A proximity sensor may often emitan electromagnetic or a beam of electromagnetic radiation (e.g.,infrared, for instance), and look for changes in the field or returnsignal. The object being sensed may often be referred to as theproximity sensor target. Different proximity sensor targets may demanddifferent sensors. Some examples of a proximity sensor may include theproximity sensor in a computer input device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,275,which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, sensordetector module 1908 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2304 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith an electromagnetic radiation sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS.18 through 20, the electromagnetic sensor detector module 1910 candetect an indication of a person within a specified proximity to the atleast one mobile device with an electromagnetic radiation sensor. In anembodiment, electromagnetic sensor detector module 1910 may detect thepresence of an individual within a forty foot radius of a smartphoneusing a sensor that uses electromagnetic radiation. Electromagneticradiation (often abbreviated E-M radiation or EMR) is a form of energythat exhibits wave-like behavior as it travels through space. EMR hasboth electric and magnetic field components, which oscillate in phaseperpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the direction of energypropagation. An example of a selectable field motion detector that useselectromagnetic radiation may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,902,508, whichis incorporated herein by reference. In some instances, electromagneticsensor detector module 1910 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2306 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith an infrared sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20,the infrared detector module 1912 can detect an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with aninfrared sensor. In an embodiment, infrared detector module 1912 maydetect the presence of an individual within a fifteen foot radius of atablet computer with an infrared motion sensor. An infrared sensor mayinclude a sensor using infrared light. Infrared (IR) light may includeelectromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visiblelight, measured from the nominal edge of visible red light at 0.74micrometers (μm), and extending conventionally to 300 μm. Thesewavelengths correspond to a frequency range of approximately 1 to 400THz, and include most of the thermal radiation emitted by objects nearroom temperature, such as body heat. Microscopically, IR light istypically emitted or absorbed by molecules when they change theirrotational-vibrational movements. One example of an infrared sensor mayinclude U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0210253, which is incorporatedherein by reference. In some instances, infrared detector module 1912may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2308 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a proximity sensor having an adjustable nominal range. For example,as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the adjustable detector module 1914 candetect an indication of a person within a specified proximity to the atleast one mobile device with a proximity sensor having an adjustablenominal range. In an embodiment, adjustable detector module 1914 maydetect a person that enters a room in a house (e.g., a bedroom) with aproximity sensor that includes an adjustable nominal range. The maximumdistance that a sensor can detect is defined as the nominal range. Somesensors may be capable of having an adjustable nominal range or means toreport a graduated detection distance. An example of a device having anadjustable nominal range may include an optical signal control apparatusdiscussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,169, which is incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, adjustable detector module 1914 mayinclude a computer processor.

FIG. 24 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 24 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2110 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2402, an operation 2404, and/or anoperation 2406.

The operation 2402 illustrates detecting an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with amotion detector. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, themotion detector module 1916 can detect an indication of a person withina specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with a motiondetector. In an embodiment, motion detector module 1916 may detect aperson within a ten foot radius of a cell phone with a motion detector.A motion detector may include a device for motion detection. Forexample, it may include a device that may contain a physical mechanismand/or electronic sensor that quantifies motion that may be eitherintegrated with or connected to devices that may alert the user of thepresence of a moving object within the field of view. An example of amotion detector may include an electronic motion detector that containsa motion sensor that transforms the detection of motion into an electricsignal. This may be achieved by measuring optical or acoustical changesin the field of view. Many motion detectors can detect up to 15-25meters (50-80 ft). In some instances, motion detector module 1916 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2404 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a passive motion detector. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18through 20, the passive motion detector module 1918 can detect anindication of a person within a specified proximity to the at least onemobile device with a passive motion detector. In an embodiment, passivemotion detector module 1918 may detect an individual within a livingroom in a house, where a cell phone is in the same room. The cell phonemay be coupled to a passive motion detector. In this example, when anindividual is detected, the passive motion sensor may send a signal toanother device, such as a speaker coupled to the same cell phone, tocreate an audible sound and indicate the location of the cell phone. Inthis instance, detecting the individual and creating an audible soundmay indicate to the person the location of the cell phone, such as inthe case of a misplaced cell phone. In some instances, passive motiondetector module 1918 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2406 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a passive infrared sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18through 20, the passive sensor module 1920 can detect an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a passive infrared sensor. In an embodiment, passive sensor module1920 may detect an individual within a fifty foot radius of a smartphonewith a passive infrared motion detector. A Passive Infrared sensor (PIRsensor) may include an electronic device that measures infrared (IR)light radiating from objects in its field of view. In a PIR-based motiondetector (often called a PID, for Passive Infrared Detector), the PIRsensor may typically be mounted on a printed circuit board containingthe necessary electronics required to interpret the signals from thepyroelectric sensor chip. The complete assembly may be contained withina housing mounted in a location where the sensor can view the area to bemonitored. Infrared energy may be able to reach the pyroelectric sensorthrough the window because the plastic used is transparent to infraredradiation (but only translucent to visible light). One example of apassive infrared motion detector may be found in U.S. Pat. No.6,215,399, which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances,passive sensor module 1920 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 25 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 25 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2110 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2502, an operation 2504, anoperation 2506, and/or an operation 2508.

Further, the operation 2502 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith an active motion detector. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18through 20, the active motion detector module 1922 can detect anindication of a person within a specified proximity to the at least onemobile device with an active motion detector. In an embodiment, activemotion detector module 1922 may detect an individual within a fifty footradius of a smartphone with an active motion detector. An active motiondetector may include a sensor used in the spectrum of motion detectorsthat emits energy from the sensor in order to detect movement. Someexamples of an active motion detector may include an ultrasonic motiondetector, a microwave motion detector, and/or a tomographic motiondetector. In some instances, active motion detector module 1922 mayinclude a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2504 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith an ultrasonic sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20,the ultrasonic detector module 1924 can detect an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with anultrasonic sensor. In an embodiment, ultrasonic detector module 1924 maydetect a person within a radius of twenty five feet of a tablet computerwith an ultrasonic sensor. An ultrasonic sensor may include a sensorthat sends out pulses of ultrasonic waves and measures the reflectionoff a moving object (e.g., a person). An example of a broad field motiondetector that uses an ultrasonic sensor may include the sensor discussedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,885,300, which is incorporated herein by reference.In some instances, ultrasonic detector module 1924 may include acomputer processor.

Further, the operation 2506 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a microwave sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20,the microwave detector module 1926 can detect an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with amicrowave sensor. In an embodiment, ultrasonic detector module 1924 maydetect a person within a radius of twenty five feet of a tablet computerwith an microwave motion sensor. A microwave motion sensor may include asensor that sends out microwave pulses and measures the reflection off amoving object. For example, a mobile device may be coupled to amicrowave motion sensor that periodically sends a microwave signal inorder to determine if an object in close proximity to the mobile deviceis moving. An example of an anti-interference microwave motion sensormay be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,852,257, which is incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, microwave detector module 1926 may includea computer processor.

Further, the operation 2508 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith an acoustic sensor. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20,the acoustic detector module 1928 can detect an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with anacoustic sensor. In an embodiment, acoustic detector module 1928 maydetect a person within a radius of twenty five feet of a tablet computerwith an acoustic motion sensor. An acoustic motion sensor may include asensor that may be based on electret effect, inductive coupling,capacitive coupling, triboelectric effect, piezoelectric effect, and/orfiber optic transmission. An example of an acoustic motion sensor mayinclude the electric device control apparatus discussed in U.S. Pat. No.7,861,188, which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances,acoustic detector module 1928 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 26 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 26 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2110 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2602, an operation 2604, and/or anoperation 2606.

Further, the operation 2602 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a multi-technology motion detector. For example, as shown in FIGS.18 through 20, the multi-technology detector module 1930 can detect anindication of a person within a specified proximity to the at least onemobile device with a multi-technology motion detector. In an embodiment,multi-technology detector module 1930 may detect a person within aradius of thirty five feet of a smartphone with a multi-technologymotion sensor. A multi-technology motion detector may utilize acombination of different motion sensing and/or detecting technologies. Adual-technology detector benefits with each type of sensor and falsealarms may be reduced. Often, passive infrared technology is paired withanother type of detector to maximize accuracy and reduce energy usage.For example passive infrared technology draws less energy than microwavedetection. Many dual-technology sensors that include passive infraredtechnology are calibrated so that when the passive infrared technologysensor is tripped, it activates, for example, a microwave sensor. If thelatter also picks up an intruder, then the alarm is sounded. An exampleof using a dual-technology sensor may include the dual technologyoccupancy sensor discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,791,458, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, multi-technologydetector module 1930 may include a computer processor.

The operation 2604 illustrates detecting an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with avibration detector. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, thevibration detector module 1932 can detect an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with avibration detector. In an embodiment, vibration detector module 1932 maydetect a person that enters a room in a house where a smartphone islocated with vibration technology (such as seismology), which mayindicate movement or absence of movement of the mobile device. Vibrationtechnology, or movement technology, may include, for example, seismictechnology (e.g., seismic displacement transducers), optical techniques(e.g., a scale, calipers, a camera, a laser interferometer, or ameasuring microscope), electromagnetic and capacitive sensors,electrodynamic sensors, laser vibrometers and/or laser velocimeters, aswell as accelerometers (e.g., piezoelctric, integral electronicspiezoelectric, piezoresistive, variable capacitance, servo forcebalance). In some instances, vibration detector module 1932 may includea computer processor.

Further, the operation 2606 illustrates detecting an indication of aperson within a specified proximity to the at least one mobile devicewith a seismic detector. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20,the seismic detector module 1934 can detect an indication of a personwithin a specified proximity to the at least one mobile device with aseismic detector. In an embodiment, seismic detector module 1934 maydetect an indication of a person within a five foot distance with aseismic sensor. For example, an individual may have misplaced asmartphone, and the seismic detector module 1934 may determine fromseismic activity that the smartphone may have been dropped or misplaced.Seismic technology may include the utilization of a device and/or asensor configured to sense seismic waves and/or vibration, for example aseismometer, a geophone, and/or an accelerometer. A seismometer mayinclude an inertial seismometer, which may include a weight, or sometype of internal mass that can move relative to an instrument frame,and/or a means for recording motion of the internal mass relative to theinstrument frame. Another example of a seismometer may include anelectronic negative feedback loop. In this example, the motion of theinternal mass relative to the instrument frame may be measured, and thefeedback loop may apply a magnetic and/or electrostatic force to keepthe mass nearly motionless. The voltage needed to produce this force isthe output of the seismometer, which may be recorded digitally, forexample the seismic detector module 1934. In other systems, the weightmay be allowed to move, and its motion may produce a voltage in a coilattached to the mass and move through the magnetic field of a magnetattached to the frame. An example of a seismic activity detection devicemay be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0169021, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, seismic detectormodule 1934 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 27 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 27 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2110 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2702, an operation 2704, anoperation 2706, an operation 2708, and/or an operation 2710.

The operation 2702 illustrates determining a specified time period ofinactivity in a mobile device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through20, the inactivity determiner module 1936 can determine a specified timeperiod of inactivity in a mobile device. In an embodiment, theinactivity determiner module 1936 may determine that a mobile device,such as a smartphone, has not moved for a period of twenty four hours.Some examples of inactivity may include non-movement of the device aswell as an absence of sending and/or receiving data. In this embodiment,inactivity determiner module 1936 may use a device, such as anaccelerometer 1830, to detect movement or absence of movement. Aninactivity determiner module 1936 may detect non-movement by detectingthe absence of acceleration where acceleration may indicate at leastshort-term movement. In another embodiment, inactivity determiner module1936 may detect non-movement using triangulation, for example. In someinstances, inactivity determiner module 1936 may include a computerprocessor and/or equipment coupled to the computer processor, such as anaccelerometer.

Further, the operation 2704 illustrates determining a specified timeperiod of inactivity with a passive infrared sensor. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the passive sensor determiner module 1938can determine a specified time period of inactivity with a passiveinfrared sensor. In an embodiment, passive sensor determiner module 1938may determine a specified time period utilizing a passive infraredsensor. A passive infrared sensor may include an electronic device thatmeasures infrared (IR) light radiating from at least one object in thefield of view of the sensor. Apparent motion may be detected when aninfrared source with one temperature (e.g., a human) passes in front ofan infrared source (e.g., a wall). One example of a device utilizing apassive infrared sensor may include a user interface with a motiondetector such as the device discussed in U.S. Patent Publication No.2011/0050643, which is incorporated herein by reference. The passivesensor determiner module 1938 may determine a time period ofnon-movement of a mobile device by using a passive infrared sensor todetect movement or non-movement. A specified period of time ofnon-movement (the specified time determined by a user) may indicate toan individual that a mobile device has been misplaced and/or lost. Insome instances, passive sensor determiner module 1938 may include acomputer processor.

Further, the operation 2706 illustrates determining a specified timeperiod of inactivity with an accelerometer. For example, as shown inFIGS. 18 through 20, the accelerometer determiner module 1940 candetermine a specified time period of inactivity with an accelerometer.In an embodiment, accelerometer determiner module 1940 may determine afour hour time period utilizing a smart device including anaccelerometer. A smart device may include an electronic device that iscordless (unless while being charged), mobile (easily transportable),always connected (via WiFi, 3 G, 4 G etc.) and/or is capable of voiceand video communication, internet browsing, “geo-location” (for searchpurposes) and that can operate to some extent autonomously. Someexamples of a smart device may include an Apple iPhone, an Apple iPad, aMotorola Droid, and/or a Blackberry device. An accelerometer may includea device that measures acceleration and may, in the case of a smartdevice coupled with an accelerometer, indicate that the smart device hasbeen misplaced if the accelerometer has not indicated movement and/oracceleration for a certain amount of time determined by an individual.In another embodiment, accelerometer determiner module 1940 maydetermine that a smart device has not been moved for twenty four hoursbecause no movement has been detected by an accelerometer coupled to thesmart device. In some instances, accelerometer determiner module 1940may include a computer processor and/or instrumentation that may beconfigured to be coupled to the computer processor and/or a smartdevice, such as an accelerometer.

Further, the operation 2708 illustrates determining a specified timeperiod of inactivity with a global positioning system. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the GPS determiner module 1942 candetermine a specified time period of inactivity with a globalpositioning system. In an embodiment, GPS determiner module 1942 maydetermine a 24 hour period that a mobile device has not been movedaccording to information regarding no change in global positioningcoordinates. Information regarding global positioning coordinates and alack of change in the coordinates may serve to indicate a misplacedmobile device, for example. The Global Positioning System (GPS) includesa space-based satellite navigation system that provides location andtime information. A GPS receiver, which may be included as part of themobile device and/or GPS determiner module 1942, may calculate positionby precisely timing signals sent by GPS satellites and thereby calculateposition of the GPS receiver. The position information may then beutilized to locate a misplaced mobile device, for example. An example ofa mobile device including a GPS receiver may be found in U.S. Pat. No.7,956,801, which is incorporated herein by reference. In some instances,GPS determiner module 1942 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2710 illustrates determining a specified timeperiod of inactivity with seismic technology. For example, as shown inFIGS. 18 through 20, the seismic determiner module 1944 can determine aspecified time period of inactivity with seismic technology. In anembodiment, seismic determiner module 1944 may determine an eight hourtime period in which a smartphone has not been moved by utilizingseismic technology. Inactivity may include physical inactivity (e.g.,the mobile device not being moved) and/or informational or electricalactivity (e.g., receiving no data, signals, etc.). Determining whether amobile device has been moved may serve to indicate to and/or alert anindividual that the mobile device has been misplaced and/or lost. Forexample, an individual may have misplaced a tablet computer, and theseismic determiner module 1944 may determine from an absence of seismicactivity, which may indicate an absence of movement, that the tabletcomputer may be misplaced. Seismic technology may include theutilization of a device configured to sense seismic waves and/orvibration, for example a seismometer, a geophone, and/or anaccelerometer. A seismometer may include an inertial seismometer, whichmay include a weight, or some type of internal mass that can moverelative to an instrument frame, and/or a means for recording motion ofthe internal mass relative to the instrument frame. Another example of aseismometer may include an electronic negative feedback loop. In thisexample, the motion of the internal mass relative to the instrumentframe may be measured, and the feedback loop may apply a magnetic and/orelectrostatic force to keep the mass nearly motionless. The voltageneeded to produce this force is the output of the seismometer, which maybe recorded digitally, for example the seismic determiner module 1944.In other systems, the weight may be allowed to move, and its motion mayproduce a voltage in a coil attached to the mass and move through themagnetic field of a magnet attached to the frame. An example of aseismic activity detection device may be found in U.S. PatentPublication No. 2010/0169021, which is incorporated herein by reference.In some instances, seismic determiner module 1944 may include a computerprocessor.

FIG. 28 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 28 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2120 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2802, an operation 2804, anoperation 2806, and/or an operation 2808.

The operation 2802 illustrates presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device to a second device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18through 20, the second device presenter module 1946 can present anindication of location of the mobile device to a second device. In anembodiment, second device presenter module 1946 may present a set of GPScoordinates of a cell phone that has been misplaced to a tablet computerwhere an individual may use the GPS coordinates from the tablet computerto locate the cell phone. Presenting an indication of location of amisplaced mobile device may serve to provide a convenient and/orefficient process for locating a misplaced and/or lost mobile device. Insome instances, second device presenter module 1946 may include acomputer processor.

Further, the operation 2804 illustrates presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device to a second mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the mobile device presenter module 1948can present an indication of location of the mobile device to a secondmobile device. In an embodiment, mobile device presenter module 1948 maypresent a set of GPS coordinates of a cell phone that has been misplacedto a tablet computer where an individual may use the GPS coordinatesfrom the tablet computer to locate the cell phone. Presenting anindication of location of a misplaced mobile device may serve to providea convenient and/or efficient process for locating a misplaced and/orlost mobile device. In some instances, mobile device presenter module1948 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2806 illustrates presenting an indication oflocation of the mobile device to a dedicated device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the dedicated device presenter module 1950can present an indication of location of the mobile device to adedicated device. In an embodiment, dedicated device presenter module1950 may present a set of GPS coordinates to a dedicated cell phone. Adedicated device, such as the dedicated cell phone in the previousembodiment, may serve to receive location information for at least onemobile device, for example in the case of a misplaced mobile device.Some examples of a dedicated device may include a PC or laptop computer,another mobile device, (e.g., cell phone, smartphone, tablet computer, aPDA, a pager, a digital reader, a personal navigation device, and/or adigital camera), and/or a cable television receiver box. In anotherembodiment, an individual may have lost a tablet computer where thetablet computer is configured to detect misplacement (e.g., the tabletcomputer may include an accelerometer that is configured to detect anabsence of movement for eight hours, in this case indicatingmisplacement) and present an indication of location by automaticallysending location coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates) to a computersystem configured and used to receive location information for themobile device. An example of a dedicated device may include a dedicatedmicroprocessor, such as the dedicated microprocessor described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,877,724, which is incorporated herein by reference. In someinstances, dedicated device presenter module 1950 may include a computerprocessor.

The operation 2808 illustrates transmitting location informationassociated with the mobile device. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18through 20, the transmitter module 1952 can transmit locationinformation associated with the mobile device. In an embodiment,transmitter module 1952 may transmit location information, such as a setof GPS coordinates accurate to ±10 feet, where the location informationis associated with a GPS receiver that is capable of transmitting thelocation to a secondary location, for example a personal computer. Inthis embodiment, an individual may determine the location of the GPSreceiver from the location information transmitted to the personalcomputer. One example of transmitting location information may includetransmitting a coordinate entry to a web page, for example. This examplemay be further discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,520, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, transmitter module1952 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 29 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 29 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2120 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 2902, an operation 2904, and/or anoperation 2906.

The operation 2902 illustrates presenting an indication of a sound thatindicates location of the mobile device. For example, as shown in FIGS.18 through 20, the sound presenter module 1954 can present an indicationof a sound that indicates location of the mobile device. In anembodiment, sound presenter module 1954 may present a predeterminedringtone sound that indicates location of the mobile device. Someexamples of a sound that may indicate location of the mobile device mayinclude a ringtone, an audible beep, a jingle, or other sounds orcombinations of sound. An example of creating and purchasing ringtonesmay be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0167968, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, sound presentermodule 1954 may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 2904 illustrates presenting a computer-createdsound that indicates location of the mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the computer-created sound presentermodule 1956 can present a computer-created sound that indicates locationof the mobile device. In an embodiment, computer-created sound presentermodule 1956 may present a computer-created song that indicates locationof the mobile device. This may serve to let an individual know where amisplaced mobile device may be, for example a cell phone that has beenlost behind a furniture cushion. Some examples of a computer-createdsound may include computer or electronic music, a ringtone, a beep, or arecorded message. An example of creating a computer-created customringtone may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,148. In some instances,computer-created sound presenter module 1956 may include a computerprocessor.

Further, the operation 2906 illustrates presenting a computer-createdvoice that indicates location of the mobile device. For example, asshown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the computer-created voice presentermodule 1958 can present a computer-created voice that indicates locationof the mobile device. In an embodiment, computer-created voice presentermodule 1958 may present a computer created voice that includes a voicerepeatedly stating “alert.” This may serve to alert an individual of thelocation of the mobile device in the event of misplacement. In oneembodiment, a computer-created voice may be interactive, such as theexample found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,778,833, which is incorporated hereinby reference. In some instances, computer-created voice presenter module1958 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 30 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 30 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2120 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 3002, an operation 3004, anoperation 3006, and/or an operation 3008.

The operation 3002 illustrates presenting an indication for the mobiledevice where the indication includes vibration. For example, as shown inFIGS. 18 through 20, the vibration presenter module 1960 can present anindication for the mobile device where the indication includesvibration. In an embodiment, vibration presenter module 1960 may presentan indication for the mobile device to trigger a vibrating alert. Inthis embodiment, a vibrating alert motor may be included in the mobiledevice. The vibrating alert motor may include a small electric motorcoupled to an eccentric, or unbalanced weight. Utilizing a vibration maygenerally serve to alert an individual in the case of a noisyenvironment or in the case of a hearing impaired user. An additionalreason may include increased sound, such as when the mobile device witha vibrating alert motor is placed on a firm or hard surface. In thiscase, the vibration may often be as loud or louder than a regular soundor ringtone because of the vibration against the firm of hard surface.An example of a mobile device including a vibrating alert motor mayinclude a cell phone with a vibrating alert motor, such as the exampledescribed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0242287, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, vibration presentermodule 1960 may include a computer processor.

The operation 3004 illustrates presenting a visible indication of themobile device location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20,the visible presenter module 1962 can present a visible indication ofthe mobile device location. In an embodiment, visible presenter module1962 may present an LED light to indicate the mobile device location.Presenting a visible indication of the mobile device may serve to locatea misplaced mobile device and may be especially helpful, for example, toan individual that may be hearing impaired. Some examples of a visibleindication may include a light, such as an LED or an incandescent bulb,a strobe light, a backlit display, or a lit screen display. In oneembodiment, visible presenter module 1962 may present a strobe light inorder to indicate to an individual a misplaced tablet computer. In thisembodiment, the strobe light may be included with the tablet computer,for example as part of a camera flash where the camera flash is utilizedas the strobe light. Another example of a light mechanism for a cellphone may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,871, which is incorporatedherein by reference. In some instances, visible presenter module 1962may include a computer processor.

Further, the operation 3006 illustrates presenting at least a constantlight, a blinking light, or a strobe light that indicates the mobiledevice location. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the lightpresenter module 1964 can present at least a constant light, a blinkinglight, or a strobe light that indicates the mobile device location. Inan embodiment, light presenter module 1964 may present a blinking lightthat may indicate a misplaced smartphone to an individual. Presenting ablinking light may serve to be more visible and more effectively alertan individual to the location of a mobile device. A constant light mayinclude an LED light source, an incandescent light source, or afluorescent light source, for example. A light that is constantlyilluminated may serve to be more visible to an individual in a darkenedsetting, such as a room without any other light or solely ambient light.A strobe light may include a stroboscopic light, or a light that may beused to produce regular flashes of light, for example ten to twelveflashes of light per second. In an embodiment, light presenter module1964 may present a strobe light that discharges light in a continuousmode for five minute intervals. Another example of a mobile devicepresenting a strobe light may include a cell phone with a built inflash, such as the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,428,016, which isincorporated herein by reference. In some instances, light presentermodule 1964 may include a computer processor.

The operation 3008 illustrates presenting an indication of location ofthe mobile device to a remote location. For example, as shown in FIGS.18 through 20, the remote presenter module 1966 can present anindication of location of the mobile device to a remote location. In anembodiment, remote presenter module 1966 may present an indication oflocation of the mobile device, which is located in Phoenix, Ariz., to acomputer in Los Angeles, Calif. The computer in Los Angeles may serve asan off-location service provider, for example. Additionally, presentingan indication of location of a mobile device to a remote location mayserve as a backup location providing service. In some instances, remotepresenter module 1966 may include a computer processor.

FIG. 31 illustrates alternative embodiments of the example operationalflow 2100 of FIG. 21. FIG. 31 illustrates example embodiments where theoperation 2120 may include at least one additional operation. Additionaloperations may include an operation 3102.

The operation 3102 illustrates detecting an indication of a personwithin twenty feet of a tablet computer and a twenty four hour period ofinactivity with an accelerometer, and presenting an audible alarm basedon the indication of the person within twenty feet of the tabletcomputer. For example, as shown in FIGS. 18 through 20, the detectormodule 1910 and presenter module 1820 can detect an indication of aperson within twenty feet of a tablet computer and a twenty four hourperiod of inactivity with an accelerometer and can present an audiblebeep based on the indication of the person within twenty feet of thetablet computer. In some instances detector module 1910 may include acomputer processor. In some instances presenter module 1820 may includea computer processor.

FIG. 32 illustrates a partial view of an example computer programproduct 3200 that includes a computer program 3204 for executing acomputer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the examplecomputer program product 3200 is provided using a signal-bearing medium3202, and may include one or more instructions for detecting anindication of a person within a specified proximity to at least onemobile device; and one or more instructions for presenting an indicationof location of the at least one mobile device at least partially basedon the indication of the person within the specified proximity. The oneor more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/orlogic-implemented instructions. In one implementation, thesignal-bearing medium 3202 may include a computer-readable medium 3206.In one implementation, the signal bearing medium 3202 may include arecordable medium 3208. In one implementation, the signal bearing medium3202 may include a communications medium 3210.

FIG. 33 illustrates an example system 3300 in which embodiments may beimplemented. The system 3300 includes a computing system environment.The system 3300 also illustrates the user 118 using a device 3304, whichis optionally shown as being in communication with a computing device3302 by way of an optional coupling 3306. The optional coupling 3306 mayrepresent a local, wide-area, or peer-to-peer network, or may representa bus that is internal to a computing device (e.g., in exampleembodiments in which the computing device 3302 is contained in whole orin part within the device 3304). A storage medium 3308 may be anycomputer storage media.

The computing device 3302 includes computer-executable instructions 3310that when executed on the computing device 3302 cause the computingdevice 3302 to detect an indication of a person within a specifiedproximity to at least one mobile device; and present an indication oflocation of the at least one mobile device at least partially based onthe indication of a person within the specified proximity. As referencedabove and as shown in FIG. 33, in some examples, the computing device3302 may optionally be contained in whole or in part within the device3304.

In FIG. 33, then, the system 3300 includes at least one computing device(e.g., 3302 and/or 3304). The computer-executable instructions 3310 maybe executed on one or more of the at least one computing device. Forexample, the computing device 3302 may implement the computer-executableinstructions 3310 and output a result to (and/or receive data from) thecomputing device 3304. Since the computing device 3302 may be wholly orpartially contained within the computing device 3304, the device 3304also may be said to execute some or all of the computer-executableinstructions 3310, in order to be caused to perform or implement, forexample, various ones of the techniques described herein, or othertechniques.

The device 3304 may include, for example, a portable computing device,workstation, or desktop computing device. In another example embodiment,the computing device 3302 is operable to communicate with the device3304 associated with the user 118 to receive information about the inputfrom the user 118 for performing data access and data processing andpresenting an output of the user-health test function at least partlybased on the user data.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing specificexemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies arerepresentative of more general processes and/or devices and/ortechnologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filedherewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the arthas progressed to the point where there is little distinction leftbetween hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspectsof systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardwareand software can become significant) a design choice representing costvs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciatethat there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/orother technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware,software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will varywith the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or othertechnologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determinesthat speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for amainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibilityis paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly softwareimplementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt forsome combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, thereare several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devicesand/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none ofwhich is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to beutilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehiclewill be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, orpredictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilledin the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations willtypically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware.

In some implementations described herein, logic and similarimplementations may include software or other control structuressuitable to operation. Electronic circuitry, for example, may manifestone or more paths of electrical current constructed and arranged toimplement various logic functions as described herein. In someimplementations, one or more media are configured to bear adevice-detectable implementation if such media hold or transmit aspecial-purpose device instruction set operable to perform as describedherein. In some variants, for example, this may manifest as an update orother modification of existing software or firmware, or of gate arraysor other programmable hardware, such as by performing a reception of ora transmission of one or more instructions in relation to one or moreoperations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, in somevariants, an implementation may include special-purpose hardware,software, firmware components, and/or general-purpose componentsexecuting or otherwise invoking special-purpose components.Specifications or other implementations may be transmitted by one ormore instances of tangible transmission media as described herein,optionally by packet transmission or otherwise by passing throughdistributed media at various times.

Alternatively or additionally, implementations may include executing aspecial-purpose instruction sequence or otherwise invoking circuitry forenabling, triggering, coordinating, requesting, or otherwise causing oneor more occurrences of any functional operations described above. Insome variants, operational or other logical descriptions herein may beexpressed directly as source code and compiled or otherwise invoked asan executable instruction sequence. In some contexts, for example, C++or other code sequences can be compiled directly or otherwiseimplemented in high-level descriptor languages (e.g., alogic-synthesizable language, a hardware description language, ahardware design simulation, and/or other such similar mode(s) ofexpression). Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the logicalexpression may be manifested as a Verilog-type hardware description orother circuitry model before physical implementation in hardware,especially for basic operations or timing-critical applications. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize how to obtain, configure, and optimizesuitable transmission or computational elements, material supplies,actuators, or other common structures in light of these teachings.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments ofthe devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts,and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/orexamples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will beunderstood by those within the art that each function and/or operationwithin such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented,individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software,firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment,several portions of the subject matter described herein may beimplemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), FieldProgrammable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), orother integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art willrecognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, inwhole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integratedcircuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or morecomputers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computersystems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors(e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors),as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designingthe circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmwarewould be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light ofthis disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capableof being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, andthat an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described hereinapplies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium usedto actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearingmedium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable typemedium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), aDigital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and atransmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analogcommunication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wiredcommunications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter,receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious embodiments described herein can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systemshaving a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software,firmware, and/or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range ofcomponents that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigidbodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, electro-magneticallyactuated devices, and/or virtually any combination thereof.Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, butis not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with atransducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, a MicroElectro Mechanical System (MEMS), etc.), electrical circuitry having atleast one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having atleast one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least oneapplication specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming ageneral purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g.,a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which atleast partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein,or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at leastpartially carries out processes and/or devices described herein),electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of memory(e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), electrical circuitryforming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch,optical-electrical equipment, etc.), and/or any non-electrical analogthereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art willalso appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include butare not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, medicaldevices, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems,factory automation systems, security systems, and/orcommunication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to asystem that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except ascontext may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that thevarious aspects described herein which can be implemented, individuallyand/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware,and/or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed ofvarious types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein“electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electricalcircuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electricalcircuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitryhaving at least one application specific integrated circuit, electricalcircuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by acomputer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by acomputer program which at least partially carries out processes and/ordevices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computerprogram which at least partially carries out processes and/or devicesdescribed herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g.,forms of memory (e.g., random access, flash, read only, etc.)), and/orelectrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem,communications switch, optical-electrical equipment, etc.). Those havingskill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described hereinmay be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combinationthereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of thedevices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a dataprocessing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that adata processing system generally includes one or more of a system unithousing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatilememory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors,computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphicaluser interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interactiondevices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/orcontrol systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g.,feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for movingand/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing systemmay be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components,such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/ornetwork computing/communication systems.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the artto implement devices and/or processes and/or systems, and thereafter useengineering and/or other practices to integrate such implemented devicesand/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/orprocesses and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devicesand/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated intoother devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount ofexperimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize thatexamples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems mightinclude—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devicesand/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., anairplane, rocket, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., acar, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) abuilding (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance(e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) acommunications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, aVoice over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an InternetService Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Qwest, SouthwesternBell, etc.), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity (e.g., Sprint,Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.

In certain cases, use of a system or method may occur in a territoryeven if components are located outside the territory. For example, in adistributed computing context, use of a distributed computing system mayoccur in a territory even though parts of the system may be locatedoutside of the territory (e.g., relay, server, processor, signal-bearingmedium, transmitting computer, receiving computer, etc. located outsidethe territory).

A sale of a system or method may likewise occur in a territory even ifcomponents of the system or method are located and/or used outside theterritory.

Further, implementation of at least part of a system for performing amethod in one territory does not preclude use of the system in anotherterritory.

All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications,U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applicationsand non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/orlisted in any Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein byreference, to the extent not inconsistent herewith.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the herein describedcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, objects, and the discussionaccompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptualclarity and that various configuration modifications are contemplated.Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and theaccompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their moregeneral classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar is intended tobe representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of specificcomponents (e.g., operations), devices, and objects should not be takenlimiting.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates differentcomponents contained within, or connected with, different othercomponents. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures aremerely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures may beimplemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense,any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality iseffectively “associated” such that the desired functionality isachieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve aparticular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each othersuch that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelesslyinteracting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logicallyinteractable components.

In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as“configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,”“adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc. Thoseskilled in the art will recognize that “configured to” can generallyencompass active-state components and/or inactive-state componentsand/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described hereinhave been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modificationsmay be made without departing from the subject matter described hereinand its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are toencompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as arewithin the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to claims containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that typically a disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms unless context dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “Aor B” will be typically understood to include the possibilities of “A”or “B” or “A and B.”

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art willappreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed inany order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in asequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may beperformed in other orders than those which are illustrated, or may beperformed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may includeoverlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental,preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variantorderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like“responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives aregenerally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictatesotherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, otheraspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art.The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes ofillustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scopeand spirit being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: at least one electronicdevice configured to communicate with at least one mobile device, the atleast one electronic device including at least: detector circuitryconfigured to detect an indication of presence of a person within aspecified proximity to the at least one mobile device; and presentercircuitry configured to present an indication of location of the atleast one mobile device at least partially based on the indication ofpresence of the person within the specified proximity.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the detector circuitry configured to detect anindication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to theat least one mobile device comprises: an electronic device circuitryoperable to detect the at least one mobile device.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the electronic device circuitry comprises: a phonecircuitry operable to detect at least one of a mobile phone, avsmartphone, or an infrared or Bluetooth communications device.
 4. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the electronic device circuitry comprises: acomputer circuitry operable to detect at least one mobile computer. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect anindication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to theat least one mobile device comprises: a sensor circuitry operable todetect at least one of the person or the at least one mobile device. 6.The system of claim 5, wherein the sensor circuitry comprises: anelectromagnetic sensor circuitry operable to detect at least one of theperson or the at least one mobile device.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein the electromagnetic sensor circuitry comprises: an infraredcircuitry operable to detect at least one of the person or the at leastone mobile device.
 8. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensorcircuitry comprises: an adjustable circuitry operable to detect at leastone of the person or the at least one mobile device.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication ofpresence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least onemobile device comprises: a motion circuitry configured to detect motionindicating entry of the person into the specified proximity.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the motion circuitry comprises: a passivemotion circuitry.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the passive motioncircuitry comprises: a passive sensor circuitry.
 12. The system of claim9, wherein the motion circuitry comprises: an active motion circuitry.13. The system of claim 12, wherein the active motion circuitrycomprises: an ultrasonic circuitry.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe active motion circuitry comprises: a microwave circuitry.
 15. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the active motion circuitry comprises: anacoustic circuitry.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein the activemotion circuitry comprises: a multi-technology circuitry.
 17. The systemof claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication ofpresence of a person within a specified proximity to the at least onemobile device comprises: a vibration circuitry.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the vibration circuitry comprises: a seismic circuitry. 19.The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry configured to detect anindication of presence of a person within a specified proximity to theat least one mobile device comprises: a non-movement determinercircuitry.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-movementdeterminer circuitry comprises: a passive sensor determiner circuitry.21. The system of claim 19, wherein the non-movement determinercircuitry comprises: an accelerometer determiner circuitry.
 22. Thesystem of claim 19, wherein the non-movement determiner circuitrycomprises: a GPS determiner circuitry.
 23. The system of claim 19,wherein the non-movement determiner circuitry comprises: a seismicdeterminer circuitry.
 24. The system of claim 1, wherein the presentercircuitry configured to present an indication of location of the atleast one mobile device at least partially based on the indication ofpresence of the person within the specified proximity comprises: asecond device presenter circuitry.
 25. The system of claim 24, whereinthe second device presenter circuitry comprises: a mobile devicepresenter circuitry.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the seconddevice presenter circuitry comprises: a dedicated device presentercircuitry.
 27. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitryconfigured to present an indication of location of the at least onemobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence ofthe person within the specified proximity comprises: a transmittercircuitry.
 28. The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitryconfigured to present an indication of location of the at least onemobile device at least partially based on the indication of presence ofthe person within the specified proximity comprises: a sound presentercircuitry.
 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the sound presentercircuitry comprises: a computer-created sound presenter circuitry. 30.The system of claim 29, wherein the computer-created sound presentercircuitry comprises: a computer-created voice presenter circuitry. 31.The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured topresent an indication of location of the at least one mobile device atleast partially based on the indication of presence of the person withinthe specified proximity comprises: a vibration presenter circuitry. 32.The system of claim 1, wherein the presenter circuitry configured topresent an indication of location of the at least one mobile device atleast partially based on the indication of presence of the person withinthe specified proximity comprises: a visible presenter circuitry. 33.The system of claim 32, wherein the visible presenter circuitrycomprises: a light presenter circuitry.
 34. The system of claim 1,wherein the presenter circuitry configured to present an indication oflocation of the at least one mobile device at least partially based onthe indication of presence of the person within the specified proximitycomprises: a remote presenter circuitry.
 35. The system of claim 1,wherein the circuitry configured to detect an indication of presence ofa person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobiledevice-comprises: at least one of: circuitry configured to detect motionindicating presence of a person within a proximity to at least onemobile device specified as a programmed value; circuitry configured todetect motion indicating presence of a person within a proximity to atleast one mobile device specified as a programmed value up to aneffective range; or circuitry configured to detect entry of the personinto the specified proximity to the at least one mobile device includingat least detecting motion indicating entry of the person into thespecified proximity.
 36. The system of claim 1, wherein the presentercircuitry configured to present an indication of location of the atleast one mobile device at least partially based on the indication ofpresence of the person within the specified proximity comprises: atleast one of: presenter circuitry configured to present an indication ofa global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device thatidentifies the global coordinate location of the at least one mobiledevice; presenter circuitry configured to send one or more GPScoordinates identifying the global coordinate location of the at leastone mobile device to at least a second mobile device; presentercircuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinatelocation of the at least one mobile device that identifies the globalcoordinate location of the at least one mobile device, whereinpresenting an indication of the global coordinate location includes atleast one: of emitting at least one sound, presenting an audible beep,activating a light, transmitting location information, transmitting oneor more GPS coordinates, transmitting a location on a map, transmittinga signal to at least a second mobile device, transmitting a GPScoordinate entry to a web page, or sending a message to a printer;presenter circuitry configured to present an indication of a globalcoordinate location of the at least one mobile device that identifiesthe global coordinate location of the at least one mobile device,wherein presenting an indication of the global coordinate locationincludes at least sending a text message including a predetermined wordor phrase indicating a predetermined command indicating the globalcoordinate location for the at least one mobile device; presentercircuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinatelocation of the at least one mobile device that identifies the globalcoordinate location of the at least one mobile device, whereinpresenting an indication of location includes at least one of sending amessage indicating the location to at least one of a third party, an offlocation computer, a website, an off-location service provider, acomputer programmed to receive one or more GPS coordinates and alert anowner of the at least one mobile device, a phone locating service, aphone service provider, an individual who has misplaced at least onemobile device, a printer coupled to a computer at a central location, aprinter coupled to a computer at an office of an owner of the at leastone mobile device, a dedicated device, a dedicated cell phone, or acomputer tablet configured to accept the location; or presentercircuitry configured to present an indication of a global coordinatelocation of the at least one mobile device at least partially based ondetection of entry of a person into the specified proximity to the atleast one mobile device including at least detecting motion indicatingentry of the person into the specified proximity.
 37. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising: at least one proximity sensor configured toreceive adjustment information and specify a proximity to the at leastone mobile device based on the received adjustment information, the atleast one proximity sensor including at least one of: a selectable fieldmotion detector configured to specify the proximity based on receivedadjustment information specifying a selectable field; a proximity sensorconfigured to emit electromagnetic radiation and adjust detection of areturn signal based on the received adjustment information to specifyproximity range; an infrared sensor configured to adjust wavelength ofemitted infrared radiation based on the received adjustment informationto specify proximity range; an optical signal controller configured toadjust optical signals based on the received adjustment information tospecify proximity range; a passive motion circuitry configured to detectan indication of a person within a proximal region encompassing a roomin a building; a multi-technology motion detector configured to receiveadjustment information indicative of a specified proximity and selectfrom among technologies of motion detection to attain the specifiedproximity; or a multi-technology motion detector configured to receiveadjustment information indicative of a specified proximity and select atleast two technologies of motion detection to increase accuracy ofdetection.
 38. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneelectronic device comprises: a computing device configured tocommunicate with the at least one mobile device, wherein the computingdevice includes: a circuitry configured to detect the at least onemobile device and the person, and determine the indication of presenceof the person within the specified proximity to the at least one mobiledevice; and the presenter circuitry configured to present an indicationof location of the at least one mobile device.
 39. The system of claim38, wherein the computing device comprises: a programmed workstation, aprogrammed desktop computer, a programmed networked computer, aprogrammed server, a programmed virtual machine running inside acomputing device, a programmed mobile computing device, or a programmedtablet PC.
 40. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneelectronic device further comprises: at least one sensor separate fromthe at least one mobile device configured to sense at least oneindication of presence of the person within the specified proximity tothe at least one mobile device.
 41. The system of claim 1, wherein theat least one electronic device comprises: one or more computing devicesconfigured to communicate with the at least one mobile device, whereinthe one or more computing devices include: at least one sensor separatefrom the at least one mobile device configured to sense at least oneindication of presence of the person within the specified proximity tothe at least one mobile device; detector circuitry configured to detectthe indication of presence of the person within the specified proximityto the at least one mobile device; and presenter circuitry configured topresent an indication of location of the at least one mobile device. 42.The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electronic devicefurther comprises: acceptor circuitry configured to accept at least onemobile device location query, wherein the presenter circuitry isconfigured to present an indication of location of the at least onemobile device at least partially based on receiving the at least onemobile device location query.
 43. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one electronic device configured to communicate with at least onemobile device, the at least one electronic device further comprises: atleast one electronic device configured to communicate with the at leastone mobile device as a third party to the at least one electronic deviceand the person.
 44. A system comprising: means for communicating with atleast one mobile device; means for detecting an indication of presenceof a person within a specified proximity to the at least one mobiledevice; and means for presenting an indication of location of the atleast one mobile device at least partially based on the indication ofpresence of the person within the specified proximity.
 45. Acommunication method comprising: communicating with at least one mobiledevice; detecting an indication of presence of a person within aspecified proximity to the at least one mobile device; and presenting anindication of location of the at least one mobile device at leastpartially based on the indication of presence of the person within thespecified proximity, wherein at least one of the communicating,detecting, or presenting is performed by at least one electronic device.